Gregg finished his five rounds of radiation early in the month. It was much easier than he was afraid it would be and the few side effects he's had have been relatively minor. We won't know how successful it was until March, when he's scheduled for a CT scan and follow up appointments. I hope that will be the end of this situation. It's been a constant nagging worry for months now.
Plenty of other things were hard to deal with in January, of course the biggest was the return of the Trump to the White House. It's less than two weeks into his term and it's been utter chaos and flagrant cruelty in a non-stop barrage of evil (and mostly illegal) executive orders. It's been really hard to try to put all that aside and carry on with normal life, but for the sake of my mental health I've had to try. I know most of you understand.
It's going to be a long four years, friends.
But enough about that. It's a new month in a still new year, and today the sun is shining and I'm at home. George and Poppy are always thrilled when they realize it's a weekend morning and I'm not leaving for work. They wrestled and played on the rug in front of me while I had my morning coffee earlier. Marco was on one of his big perches nearby, squawking and flapping his wings and obviously wanting to jump into the middle of the dogs' play fighting and participate. We have to keep a close eye on him to prevent that, because he doesn't have enough common sense to realize how badly that could go! The dogs wouldn't intentionally hurt him, but they play really rough with each other and get really wound up and fierce. Any normal bird wouldn't want any part of two "fighting" dogs, but Marco thinks it looks like fun!
Speaking of life with Marco...this morning, while taking a shower, Gregg noticed a section of paint chewed off a corner at one end of the shower curtain rod. That's classic Marco business right there. Sometimes he likes to perch on the curtain rod while I shower so that I can give him a quick shower, too. This isn't the first time he's chewed paint off that spot. We just (re)painted the bathroom last summer and tried to be diligent in keeping him away from that particular corner. I have no idea when or how he got away with it this time, and Gregg is PISSED. We have some extra leftover paint, and can touch up the area without too much trouble, but he's still pretty mad about it. Since he retired last spring, he's at home a lot more and gets pretty tired of dealing with Marco's bad behaviors day in and day out.
In other exciting news, I started some tomato seeds last week and they've begun to sprout! Plans for the 2025 garden are well underway. This afternoon I want to start pepper seeds (I should have done this already) and I need to place a seed order soon. I plan to make a second, smaller raised bed this year so I can grow some extra vegetables. I'm afraid that produce prices are going to skyrocket this summer, and the more I can grow for us, the better. I'd also like to plant a lot more zinnia varieties this year, both for the pollinators and for the simple joy of bouquets in the house. I love cut flowers, and zinnias are so easy and cheerful!
Do you have any gardening plans this year?
Are you as glad as me that January is finally over?
What are you up to this first weekend in February?
Answers on a postcard, please.
I LOVE naughty Marco, having had naughty birds in the past, I really miss them and love a Marco fix every now and then. We still have chewed holes in the walls and on the sills.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad the treatment is moving along without too much stress. Not easy waiting, either. Marco will no doubt take your mind off it, or something.
ReplyDeleteThis year I plan on containers of flowers again. The last two years they were lovely to sit out with and I had a picking garden for months, little daily bouquets. I like the idea of doing it again.
Sorry, no postcard - it would probably take until April to reach you!
ReplyDeleteI can‘t complain about January as such, although of course the political situation in my country (and yours, and many more) is worrying and unlikely to improve any time soon.
But the month ended with the sad and somewhat unexpected news of my uncle‘s (Mum‘s brother) death, and remembering my Dad whose birthday was on the 31st.
I am glad to read that Gregg‘s therapy was easier than he feared, just I was hoping it would be. And your tomatos sprouting and other gardening plans are good news, too!
My February is going to be very busy at work, with a business trip towards the end of the month. Outside work, there are two highlights lined up, a concert and the customary carnival party at the village hall which is always good fun. The funeral for my uncle will make sure things won‘t get too cheerful, I guess.
I’ll have to find a postcard. And stamps. Yes, glad January is over, but dreading every month to come given what’s going on around the world. Trump will only make it worse. I’ve called our cats assholes at times. Especially at 3 a.m. when they decide to harmonize. Glad Gregg’s radiation went more easily than expected. Looking forward to great news in March. No gardening plans here. Not a live plant in sight at the moment. Just trying to get it all together around there this month!
ReplyDeleteJanuary went by quickly for me but I have too many worries to think about so it hasn't been great. I'm glad things went well for Gregg and hope for a good report in March. How difficult to be patient. No ideas for February except helping out with my grandson more so the weeks will fly by. Stay safe and happy, Jennifer!
ReplyDeleteNaughty Marco! With food prices expected to go up, I'll probably try my hand at a few tomato plants again. I don't think the Orange Anus is going to make it to 2 years since I don't doubt there will be a people's revolt before then.
ReplyDeletePoor Marco! He just wants some excitement in his life! (Apparently gnawing the paint off the shower curtain rod isn't enough?) He may be an asshole but he is cute sitting in the linen closet.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad Gregg's treatments are done and the side effects were mild. Fingers crossed!
I have a silly question: What do you (and John Gray) mean by "answers on a postcard, please"? Is this a reference to something I don't know? Clearly we're not meant to send a postcard so I'm a bit mystified. Maybe we're just supposed to keep our responses brief? Am I thinking too much about this?
I have no idea what it means, Steve! I wrote it thinking of John Gray so we should both ask him! lol
DeleteApart from the orange one - and we'd all like to be a long way apart from him - things are generally looking up for you, apart from paint-eating Marco. He is gorgeous, thought, so you can't be too cross for too long . Well, you can . . . .
ReplyDelete